People in Essex are being urged to consider job opportunities in the Probation Service as HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) launches a recruitment drive in the area.
The new roles are open to a wide range of applicants, from those starting out to those with wider life or work experience. The roles are ideal for those looking for a rewarding career where they can both motivate and inspire others to change for the better, and build safer places to live.
HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is already seeing people moving into the sector from retail and hospitality with many recent new joiners also quitting office jobs for a more rewarding role in the service. The campaign hopes to inspire others to consider making the switch.
The number of people working in probation across Essex and the East of England has increased in the last twelve months. Currently, there are 1,692 people* working in Probation Service roles and in 2022 the region welcomed 257 new joiners. Some have come forward to support the recruitment campaign and encourage other people to consider roles like theirs.
Sam Gildersleeve, aged 35, is a senior probation officer from Essex. Sam was working in a supermarket when he realised he wanted a job where he could help people and contribute to society. He started a role in a forensic mental health unit and then decided to apply for the Probation Service. Sam says:
“I always wanted a role where I could help people in the justice system. I spotted an advert for the Probation Service on social media and decided to apply. The application process was really easy and I felt supported all the way through. I was delighted to be accepted onto the trainee probation officer programme and, four years on I’m now a senior probation officer.
The role is fast-paced and varied so having resilience is important, but there’s nothing more rewarding than helping people to take the steps that change their lives. If you’re interested in making a difference and protecting the public I’d definitely recommend exploring the different roles on the Probation Service website. We’re looking for people from a wide range of backgrounds. Once you start, there are lots of opportunities to progress, and everyone is so supportive.”
Iveta Petkute, aged 28 is a senior probation officer from Southend. She didn’t know much about working in probation before she started and admits most of her knowledge came from American TV shows, but since joining the service she’s found a passion for supporting offenders to get their lives back on track. Iveta says:
“When I left college, I was looking for something new with career progression opportunities. I didn’t have a degree and wanted to do a role where I could train on the job. I came across an advert for a probation apprenticeship and decided to go for it. I was delighted to be accepted onto the programme and thoroughly enjoyed the work, especially observing probation officers and seeing how offenders responded.
I realised quickly how much of an impact probation officers had and that’s when I decided this was the career for me. I’ve worked my way up in the service starting in admin-based roles, then becoming a probation services officer and finally completing my training to be a probation officer. I am now a Senior Probation Officer and 10 years on, I haven’t looked back. I can’t imagine a more rewarding job.”
Probation Service staff support offenders on their rehabilitation journey, helping them to make better life choices and reducing the chances they will re-offend.
HMPPS is looking to fill several roles including probation services officers, case administrators and trainee probation officers. The Probation Service works with over 230,000 people on probation serving community sentences and individuals who are pre or post-release from prison. Roles within the service help to support their rehabilitation and protect the public.
2022 data on the diversity of the Probation Service shows a 1% increase to 17% in the number of Probation Service staff from an ethnically diverse background compared to 16% in 2020. HMPPS is continuing to build on this work to attract a wave of recruits who are even more representative of the community they serve.
All roles are challenging and rewarding, with great training, support and opportunities for progression. Specific roles currently include:
Case administrators play a key role, using their great organisational and communication skills to support their probation colleagues and help offenders turn their lives around. Eligibility requirements for the role include strong communication skills (verbal and written) and good IT and keyboard skills.
Probation service officers undertake the full range of work with offenders before and after sentence, and in the community – including, assessments, sentencing and managing people throughout their probation period. Eligibility requirements for the role include a minimum C-grade GCSEs or equivalent, or relevant work experience including sufficient writing skills
Applications to become a case administrator or probation services officer are open now: https://probationjobs.co.uk/
Through the trainee probation officer programme, candidates will gain a level 6 equivalent professional qualification upon completion, along with a competitive salary and generous leave. When you start your training, you’ll be a probation services officer, learning whilst earning on the job and studying to gain your fully funded Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP). Eligibility requirements for the role include a Level 5 qualification, or above, such as an honours degree, a foundation degree or a diploma of higher education. Register your interest now: https://www.traintobeaprobationofficer.com/apply/
A three-year pay award guarantees an increase in all Probation Service pay bands each year for the next three years. By the end of the multi-year pay deal:
• Case administrators will be able to earn up to £25,210
• Probation service officers will be able to earn up to £31,650
• Qualified probation officers will be able to earn up to £42,000
Career benefits of working in the Probation Service include progression, training, support, a good pension and generous annual leave allowance.
